The First Church of Christ in Hartford founded 1632 a member of the United Church of Christ

Transcription

1 The First Church of Christ in Hartford founded 1632 a member of the United Church of Christ Embracing God s Presence, Serving the City, Building Upon Our Heritage Sunday, August 6, 2017

2 THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST IN HARTFORD An Open and Affirming Congregation of The United Church of Christ THE NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION Welcome ~ Bienvenidos August 6, :00 AM WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT CENTER CHURCH. We are glad you have joined us for this service of worship and the fellowship of this congregation. We hope that you will be both comforted and challenged by the Word of God for us today. If you are new to our community, we hope you will consider making this your church home. Any of our worship leaders or ushers will be able to help with your questions. If you are already a member, be sure to extend a friendly greeting to those around you, starting with someone you don t know yet. Please turn off all cell phones and other electronic devices before the service of Worship begins. Childcare is available in the nursery (room A) during the summer months. PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP In the words of Saint Paul, God gives exceedingly above all that we ask or think. With God supporting us, we know that good is reinforced, nourishing and loving us. But God cannot work alone. The work is up to each of us, serving together. TOLLING OF THE HOUR and GREETING HIGHLIGHTING OUR MINISTRIES

3 COMING BEFORE GOD PRELUDE Go Down, Moses Traditional Spiritual arr. B. Walters PLEASE STAND. CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: People: Leader All: Blessed be the name of our God from this time and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of God is to be praised! It is good to give thanks to God, to sing praises to God s name. To declare God s steadfast love in the morning and God s faithfulness by night. HYMN No. 70 God Is Here! As We Your People Meet ABBOT S LEIGH PLEASE BE SEATED. UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION and THE LORD S PRAYER Eternal God, companion of all who seek you, and seeker of all who turn away from you, draw near to us that we may draw near to you. Grant us the grace to love and to serve you, that we may find in your will our true freedom; through Jesus Christ; the way, the truth, and the life, as together we pray Our Father*, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (* = traditional wording but you may use alternative wording, such as God, Creator, or Mother, as seems fitting.)

4 CALL TO CONFESSION UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION CONFESSION AND RESPONSE Gracious God, you have promised to receive us when we come to you in thought, word, and deed. We have disobeyed your laws. We have not loved you or our neighbors as we should. Forgive us, O God, and grant that we may live and serve you in newness of life; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen. SILENCE FOR REFLECTION WORDS OF ASSURANCE Leader: People: We confess our sins so that we can be set free from the bondage of the past. Therefore, in the name of Jesus Christ, we are henceforth set free: set free from all the enslaving bonds of our pasts; set free to live with power in every moment; set free to love God, to love our neighbors, and to work with our brothers and sisters in building a peaceful world. Jesus said: I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly. God s name be praised! PLEASE STAND. Congregational Response Glory to God the Creator music: Ronald A. Nelson, 1986 text: Gloria patri, 3 rd century, transl. THE PASSING OF THE PEACE Leader: People: Leader: The love of God, the peace of Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always. And also with you. Since in Christ we have been reconciled, let us share his peace with one another.

5 PROCLAIMING GOD S LIVING WORD PLEASE BE SEATED. PSALTER READING (responsive) Psalm 145:8-9, The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9 The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made. 14 The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down. 15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. 16 You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing. 17 The Lord is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings. 18 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 19 He fulfills the desire of all who fear him; he also hears their cry, and saves them. 20 The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. 21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever. HEBREW SCRIPTURE READING Isaiah 55:1-5 Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. 3 Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. 4 See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. 5 See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you. GOSPEL READING Matthew 14:13-21 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their

6 sick. 15 When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves. 16 Jesus said to them, They need not go away; you give them something to eat. 17 They replied, We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish. 18 And he said, Bring them here to me. 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. PLEASE STAND. HYMN No. 503 O Savior, Let Me Walk With You MARYTON PLEASE BE SEATED. SERMON Nourishment and Compassion The Reverend Mary Hawkes PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE RESPONDING IN FAITH THE OFFERING OF GIFTS AND TITHES (We encourage you to use offering envelopes when giving.) Offertory Piano Solo Selection by Chris Jeffers, Pianist PLEASE STAND AS THE OFFERING IS BROUGHT FORWARD. Hymn of Presentation OLD HUNDREDTH text: Thomas Ken, 1674; alt. music: Louis Bourgeois, 1551 Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, you heav nly host: Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost.

7 UNISON PRAYER OF DEDICATION As Jesus blessed the loaves and fish that were shared by a generous child in Galilee, we seek your blessing on what we share at this altar, O God of love. May we, too, with our gifts, be instruments of your purposes. Amen. THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION COMMUNION HYMN No. 332 As We Gather at Your Table BEACH SPRING PLEASE BE SEATED. INVITATION COMMUNION PRAYER *Sanctus and Benedictus (sung by all) music: Martie McMane, 1991 text: Isaiah 6:3b and Matthew 21:9b; alt. WORDS OF INSTITUTION SHARING THE ELEMENTS All are invited to partake in the sacrament. Please come forward via the center aisle and return to your seat via the side aisles. The elements of communion are taken by the process of intinction: Please take a piece of bread, dip it into the chalice, then eat it. Piano Music for Communion Draw Us in the Spirit's Tether H. Friedell UNISON PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Bountiful God, we give you thanks that you have refreshed us at your table by granting us the presence of Christ. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and send us forth into the world in courage and peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

8 GOING FORTH PLEASE STAND. HYMN No. 531 God, Speak to Me, That I May Speak CANONBURY BENEDICTION Please sing verses 1-3. Please enjoy the postlude or exit quietly. Go in peace! POSTLUDE I ve Got the Joy G. Cooke

9 Our thanks to Deacon Larry Roeming; Usher/Greeter Andre Keitt; This Week and Liturgist at Richard Center Markham. Church Today Our thanks to Reverend - Mary 10:00 Hawkes Worship for leading Service Worship at the this Meeting morning, House; and to guest pianist Chris followed Jeffers (offertory by refreshments solo.) Tuesday Our thanks - to Dectora 9:30 Jeffers Board for coordinating of Deacons Meeting refreshments (off-site) - during 1:00 the month Board of of August. Outreach Meeting (off-site) Our thanks Next to Luke Sunday, Salls and August friends for 13 making ~ our Sunday Morning Coffee Ministry possible today. Worship Leader: The Reverend Meredith Jeffers The flowers on display in the Meeting House today are given in loving memory of the Brace, Allen, and Eaton family from Nancy Hinman. After today s service, please stop by the Remembrance Area to sign a card for Richard Markham (70 th birthday.) August 6 August 8 Jana Russo-Priestley is on vacation from August LET THERE BE LIGHT + Marie Ferrantino is on vacation from August The steeple of the Meeting House will be lighted this week Robert Gilbert as a memorial is on vacation and tribute: from August In memory of Mrs. Normand F. Allen, by the late William Haine In memory of Mary Leopold Whitford, by her sister Anna Leopold, late son Robert, and grandchildren PASTORAL CARE DURING THE SUMMER If you are in need of emergency pastoral care over the summer months, please contact the Church Office during office hours at (860) , or Deacon Patricia Anderson at (860)

10 August 6 ~ Efrain & Olga Agosto August 8 ~ Niome Chaney August 12 ~ Melani Norsigian August 12 ~ Richard Markham THANK YOU TO DENNIS MORIN & DAVID OWENS for helping to make MANNA meals Communion! Nineteen years of faithful service! + IN OUR PRAYERS + Kelly Anderson, Margo Anderson, Tina Bobbitt, Robinson Buck, Frances Burton, Nilsa Cierpikowski, Steven Harvin, Joseph Howard, Jane Macomber, Marjorie F. Paust, Joyce Peroza, Michael Plankey, Hazel Powers, Jeff Rathnam, Sally St. Amant, Earl Sanderson, Angie Smith and family, Norman Stanley, the City of Hartford, the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ, the First Church of Christ in Hartford, Camp Asto Wamah, the State of Connecticut, and all victims of violence and natural disasters

11 AN OPEN AND AFFIRMING Congregation. "We include into full participation in the life of this church persons of any age, race, economic status, gender, sexual orientation, marital status and physical, emotional and mental capacity" (from the statement adopted October 23, 1994.) In recognition of the richness of backgrounds of our congregation, a DIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES will find expression in our worship services. Center Church offers an OPEN COMMUNION. Adults and children from all religious backgrounds are invited to partake. FREE PARKING is available during Sunday Worship Services at the Travelers Plaza Garage off Prospect Street (next to the Hartford Club.) The garage closes at 1:00pm (12:00pm June through August). Free onstreet parking is also available on Gold Street and on the west side of Lewis Street each Sunday. REST ROOMS are located in the basement of the Meeting House. Please use the stairs in the southeast corner of the building. For safety, please have an adult accompany your child to the restroom. CHURCH SCHOOL is held at the Church House (60 Gold Street) for preschool to 12 th Grade. Children are to remain with their families in the Meeting House during worship until they depart for Church School following the Children s Moment. Please pick your child up promptly at 12:00pm. For their safety, children will remain with their Church School instructor until an adult picks them up. CHILDCARE and NURSERY care are provided by trained, capable, and nurturing staff and volunteers, and is available in the Meeting House basement for infants and toddlers (up to two years of age.) A nursery without staff is also located on the second floor of the Church House. ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CLASSES are held in the Church House (60 Gold Street) at 8:45am. Announcements regarding Adult Education classes are announced in our publications. HANDICAPPED ACCESS to the sanctuary is via the lift outside at the south end of the portico. If possible, please call the church office in advance for assistance in using the lift. Please feel free to confer with a minister regarding our INQUIRER'S CLASSES for POTENTIAL MEMBERS, BAPTISMS, WEDDINGS or COMMITMENT CEREMONIES. The latest issue of CENTER CHURCH NEWS is available in the literature rack at the back of the Meeting House and at the Church House (60 Gold Street). THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST IN HARTFORD A member of the United Church of Christ (UCC) CENTER CHURCH, 60 Gold Street, Hartford, CT Church Office Hours: Monday thru Friday, 8:30am to 4:00pm Library Hours: Wednesdays, 9:30am to 11:30am, Sunday 9:45am to 10:45am, or by appointment. P F We are currently seeking a Transitional Minister. Minister Emeritus: The Reverend J. Alan McLean Director of Music/Organist: Robert F. Gilbert (ext. 204) Warburton Director of Outreach Ministries: Candice Dolberry (ext. 205) Director of Faith Formation: Jana Russo-Priestley (ext. 210) Youth Coordinator: Anne Russo-Priestley (ext. 210) Church Administrator: Marie Ferrantino (ext. 209) Bookkeeper: Charlotte Cardone (ext. 201) Receptionist/Office Assistant: Monique Young (ext. 200) Sexton: Thomas St. Amant Hymns and Service Music reprinted under OneLicense.net # A LARGE-PRINT BULLETINS ARE AVAILABLE ~ PLEASE ASK A DEACON FOR A COPY.